The Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ugochi Madueke, has stated that even in death, the state government remains proud of the late Nollywood legend John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu.
Madueke made this known in a statement released on Thursday after the novelty match organised in honour of the late actor in Enugu. The match took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, against the reigning champions of the Nigerian Premier League, Rangers Football Club of Enugu.
“Mr Ibu was a great and unique actor. That was what brought all those people out to honour him, and the Enugu State Government is proud of him,” Madueke said.
Monday Ani, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, thanked all who took the time to attend the event. He extended gratitude to the government of Enugu state, the General Manager of Rangers FC, Amobi Ezeaku, and everyone who played a role in making the novelty match a success.
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Samuel Ani, the Majority Leader of the House representing Enugu North, remarked, “I’m happy the novelty match went well because there’s nothing more commendable than when we come together to sympathise with the family. If you looked around, you would find out that everyone there was happy because that’s the kind of actor Mr. Ibu was. He made people happy, and my prayer for him is for his soul to rest in peace.”
In October 2023, the actor was reported ill and required financial assistance. By November 2023, his family confirmed that one of his legs had been amputated to keep him alive due to an infection of the arteries at the ankle that was not detected early enough.
Mr. Ibu died on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
